Emma Hayes is done with insufficient safety standards.

Research indicates that the crash-test dummies used in car safety evaluations are largely modeled on male bodies, which contributes to the higher risk of injury or fatality for women in accidents. For many years, these dummies have failed to account for the average female’s shorter stature, lesser bone density, and distinct muscle distribution.

Consequently, seat belts that fit men properly may not do the same for women, increasing the risk of internal injuries. Similarly, airbags designed for a man’s height may instead strike a woman’s neck and face. This pattern of male-centric design and perspective is pervasive, affecting safety tests, sports, and virtually every aspect of life, leaving women inadequately protected.

Hayes refuses to be complicit in this.

“Our primary mission is to establish a clear focus on integrating a female perspective in all our initiatives,” stated the coach of the U.S. women’s national soccer team earlier this week.

“We tend to mirror the methods used in men’s soccer or apply a male perspective,” Hayes continued. “I’ve urged everyone within the federation to reassess how they’ve been approaching the women’s game through that male lens.”

Hayes was brought on board to revitalize the USWNT, accomplishing this astonishingly in just 75 days by guiding the team to a gold medal at the Paris Olympics. However, her role also includes revamping the entire U.S. Soccer women’s program to guarantee lasting success for the USWNT, a vision she has termed “the USWNT Way.”

Some aspects of this approach are tactical. However, at its core lies a need to shift a culture that has historically overlooked the differences between male and female athletes and the implications of those differences.

For example, Hayes pointed out that a mere 5% of sports science research focuses on women, which is concerning given the variations in hormones, muscle composition, and bone structure among genders. It’s only recently that sports equipment manufacturers have started creating shoes specifically for women, who typically have narrower ankles, higher arches, and lower calf muscles. Until just a few years ago, team uniforms often included white shorts without consideration for the anxiety this could cause young women during their menstrual cycles.

And this issue continues on various fronts.

Earlier this week, Hayes provided insights to both U.S. Soccer leaders and a select group of reporters about “the USWNT Way.” Some elements are straightforward to put into practice and some have already begun.

The latest youth national team camp was aligned with the USWNT’s schedule, enabling the establishment of consistent standards and procedures. Hayes has expressed to U.S. Soccer her desire for the USWNT to stay in hotels that foster social interactions during downtime, as opposed to the gaming environments favored by male players.

“Everyone who interacts with me hears this question: ‘Have you approached this from a female perspective?’ If not, pause until we can ensure we’re providing the best experience for our girls and women,” Hayes remarked.

While many of her proposals will require extensive time and effort, she envisions forming an advisory board that includes leaders from the NWSL, USL, and potentially collegiate sports to create unified goals. She emphasizes the need for training and rehabilitation programs designed by professionals familiar with women’s health and physiology.

Most importantly, she emphasizes the necessity for coaching education programs that specifically cater to coaching female athletes, especially at the youth level.

Research indicates a significant drop in girls participating in sports after they reach puberty, and Hayes believes that training coaches to understand and address challenges like body changes, self-image, and peer pressure is crucial for keeping girls engaged in sports longer.

“We must prioritize this. We need to support our coaches in the country to better assist girls and women,” Hayes stated. “From the grassroots up, coaching education mainly focuses on the men’s game, with only sporadic mentions of the women’s game.

“We must advocate for more on that front.”

Hayes has yet to establish a timeline for shifting the male-dominated mindset to one focused on the women’s game. However, she is fully committed to this endeavor, calling it the “most thrilling project” of her career.

“We constantly compare to men’s soccer. I’m not interested in that. What serves us best?” Hayes asserted. “It’s about building our unique legacy more than anything.”